An emotional Josh Dunkley admits it was difficult to attend Wednesday night’s Western Bulldogs best and fairest dinner – and ultimately accept the top award – but says he was “always going to come”, declaring he “tried my absolute heart out for this football club”.
It comes as Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge opened up about privately urging Dunkley to “see it through” with the club until season’s end before the star on-baller told him the “deflating” news he wanted to join Brisbane.
Dunkley on Wednesday night was crowned the Bulldogs’ 2022 club champion after a career-best season that saw him kick 18 goals, average 25 disposals and poll a club-high 14 Brownlow votes.
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The 25-year-old’s maiden best and fairest win came less than a fortnight after he informed the Bulldogs of his desire to be traded to the Brisbane Lions.
Beveridge on Wednesday night addressed the room before embracing Dunkley and placing the Charles Sutton medal around his neck.
The Dogs coach revealed some of the private conversations he’d had across the year with Dunkley, who had been weighing up offers from the Lions, Power and Bulldogs for months.
“Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way,” Beveridge said. “I said to Josh many weeks ago that whatever happens, whatever your decision may be, you’ve got to see it through with us because you’ve invested too much here and we’ve invested too much in you for this to end badly – and he agreed. I don’t know whether he’d made his decision at the time.
“We’ve had a couple of conversations since. Probably the most deflating one was when he called me to let me know what his decision was. Again, we had that chat and I reminded him of his conviction. He promised me he’d be here (until season’s end) – and I’m really grateful, I think we all are, that he’s been mature and respects his time at our football club that he’s here tonight to really see it through.”
As Dunkley doesn’t yet qualify for free agency, he can only move to Brisbane via trade.
Beveridge cheekily added: “The obvious thing is the Lions are going to have to pony up, so (Dogs list boss) Sammy (Power) is going to have to work on that over the next week or two.”
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A 2016 premiership player, Dunkley has played 116 games for the Bulldogs since being selected with Pick 25 in the 2015 draft.
Beveridge paid tribute to Dunkley’s rapid improvement during his time at Whitten Oval.
“I’ve said to a number of people that when Josh wasn’t going so well post the ‘16 year, I hadn’t seen such a dramatic improvement in a player at AFL level,” he said.
“He dug deep, he worked hard, he’s become a real pro, he’s an extremely solid citizen, he’s got a big heart, he’s extremely well respected by everyone within our football club and it’s a real shame (he’s leaving, because) I describe Josh as the glue in our team. He does all the hard team things unconditionally and we’re going to need more of that from his teammates – or former teammates – next year. He’s a real diamond.
“Its difficult to come up and match market value when you’ve got to spread the financial load across your whole group – and that’s part of it – but Josh has also made a life decision where he sees his future and where he’s going to live and what it means to him right at this point in time – and we respect that.
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“But for now it’s really important we celebrate his contribution to our football club. He’s a decorated player.”
An emotional Dunkley said he had mixed feelings being in the room and accepting the award, but stressed he always planned to attend the event despite his impending move to a rival club.
“It’s so hard being up here right now to be honest,” Dunkley said. “Hearing what Bevo just said, it makes me really emotional to be honest. The support and all the love I get from all the fans, I’m very grateful for it.
“I was always going to come tonight. Bevo talked about not cutting the cord and being here – I’m not that type of person that would never show up to an event like this.
“I’ve tried my absolute heart out for this football club – and I hope everyone knows that. I’m not that person or player that wanted to leave anything behind me. I owe it to everyone to be here tonight and I’m grateful that I am to accept the award. It’s a massive thing for the footy club and for myself personally, it’s such an honour to be here tonight.”
Dunkley then paid tribute to Beveridge, as well as partner Tippah Dwan.
“To my girlfriend Tippah, words can’t describe how much you mean to me and I’m so grateful to have you in my life. I love you so much, your support honestly means the world and I hope I give you the happiness that you give me, so thanks Tip,” he said.
“To Bevo, I remember the day we first met before I was even drafted and looking back now I could tell then you were going to have a massive impact, both on my life on-field and off-field. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, I truly wouldn’t be the person or player I am today without you.
“You have been a father-like figure, we’ve always been honest and changed one another at times, but also we’ve been there for each other too. I couldn’t speak more highly about you.”
“Despite the decisions I’ve made over the past few days, I really wanted to say thank you to everyone here tonight and involved in the club for giving me so much over the journey. This club will forever hold a place in my heart and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to put on the red, white and blue jumper.
“Please don’t be shy moving forward. I’m always up for a chat, you know how much I love you all and, although I won’t be here, I’ll still be watching from afar.”
